The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-11-08
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Decision by the Court OF Claims In
the French SpollatIon Case.

WASHINGTON, Nov. THE decision in
the French spoliation claims was rendered
today by the Court of Claims. The court
holds that the treaties of 177S, with France
ceased as a international liability after July
7, 1898; and that claims arising after that
date must be measured by international law,
without regard to treaties before in force.
The American privateers captured by France
were good prizes of war, but the mere pos
session by merchant vessel Of letter of
marque or some armament, did not authorize
her condemnation by the prize tribunals of
France. France didnot maintain blockade
of the English possessions in the West Indies
between 1892 and 1900, and American vessels
bound to the British West Indian ports were
not good prizes on the ground that they were
bound to blockaded or beseged port. The
court also ruled upon the allowances for in
surance, freight and salvage.
Will Luce Retire?
Once more rumor has it that Rear Admiral
S. B. Luce is about to resign his command Of
the North Atlantic Squadron, and assume
charge of the Naval War College at New
port. The original announcement, some
two months ago, that Rear Admiral Luce
had forwarded his resignation to the Navy
Department was at first vigorously denied,
ence published. 1t is now understood that
further correspondence has been icarried on
between the Navy Department and the Rear
Admiral concerning his retirement from the
command of the squadron. The Admiral, so
it is said, has made formal application to be
relieved from the command of the squadron
and placed In charge of the War College.
Navy Department officials say they are igno-
rant of the alleged correspondence.
The Democratic Civil Service.
1t is stated at the Treasury Department
that all the Democratic clerks from New
York, Maryland and Virginia have gone
home to vote tommorrow, but the clerks
| with Republican proclivities show little in
| terest in the elections.
The Indian Troubles.
The Secretary of the Interior this after
noon received telegram from Indian In
| spector Armstrong at the Crow Agency,
| Montana, saying: Refractory Indians are
| He will be delivered tonight. The leader
| was killed in a skirmish yesterday. The
| balance of the Crows in camp are quiet and
submissive. No more trouble is feared.
| The Crows will be peaceable and well con-
| tented in future" y
Hopkins at Work.
| Last year Hopkins, the youth who sent
| Chief Justice Waite the bogus internal ma
chine, startled the wilds Of New Hampshire
by sending to a paper in Manchester in that
State an account of the gambling propensi-
ties of certain Congressman. Later on he
discovered the connection Of a Representa-
| tive with the mysterious and unexplained
| disappearance of woman in New England
| Then again he found an accOmplice of the
/ Railway murderer south of Pennsylvania
| avenue. His latest feat was to put a bullet
| through his foot-on paper. This was about
| a month ago. He was able to walk the
| streets of Washington an hour after the oc-
| currence, and it doesn't seem to have had
| any perceptible effect whatever upon his
silly imagination.
Pensions and Post Routes.
The following Maine pensions have been
granted:
| ORIGINAL.
Hannah A., widow Of John A. Woodwork. Ban
| gor.
VIM. Harris, Jr., North Dixmont.
INCREASE.
Franklin Bowman, Pea Cove.
Ward s. Yeaton, Weld.
REISSUE.
Ethel II. Jones, Augusta.
Daniel r. Hodsd0n, winthrop.
Cyrus b. Kimball, Auburn.
The following changes Gin Star schedules
are announced:
Route 156-Albany to Bethel From November
16 to April IL, in each year. Leave Albany
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays al a. nj.
Arrive at Bethel at a. m. Leave Bethel Tues.
days, Thursdays, and Saturdays at p. m.